Sharon Worcester is an award-winning medical journalist for MDedge News. She has been with the company since 1996, first as the Southeast Bureau Chief (1996-2009) when the company was known as International Medical News Group, then as a freelance writer (2010-2015) before returning as a reporter in 2015. She previously worked as a daily newspaper reporter covering health and local government. Sharon currently reports primarily on oncology and hematology. She has a BA from Eckerd College and an MA in Mass Communication/Print Journalism from the University of Florida. Connect with her via LinkedIn and follow her on twitter @SW_MedReporter.
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Older adults with long-term depression respond to medication
Major finding: Response rates in patients with depression duration less than 10 years and HDRS score of less than 21 were 46.3% and 41.5% in the...
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Initial surgical management bests expectant management for VVF
Major finding: Success following initial surgical management of VVF vs. initial conservative management was 77.5% and 12%, respectively.Data...
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Findings underscore value of support in late-life depression
Major finding: Many nonspecific elements of psychotherapy are captured by supportive psychotherapy, and this provides evidence for improved...
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Virgin coconut oil bests mineral oil for dermatitis, xerosis
Major finding: Children with atopic dermatitis treated with VCO showed a 93% improvement in the SCORAD index, versus a 53% improvement for those...
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Nickel, cobalt sensitivity increases with number of body piercings
Major finding: Sensitivity to nickel and cobalt (relative risk of 2.52, 1.63, respectively) was significantly associated with body piercing.Data...
Aesthetic Dermatology
Agencies continue push for indoor tanning regulations
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Data underscore environment's role in allergic disease
Major finding: After 10 years or more of United States residence, children born outside of the United States had significantly higher odds of...
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Social disconnectedness ups depression severity, suicide ideation
Major finding: Fifty-two percent of socially disconnected older adults had felt that life was not worth living; up to 6% had current suicide...
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Social support plays key role in antidepressant adherence
Major finding: Adjusted odds ratios for antidepressant medication adherence for white women and men with impaired social support vs.
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Link between depression, medical comorbidities underscores need for screening
Major finding: Adjusted odds ratio for depression in older adults with one or more comorbidities: 3.4Data source: NHANES 2009-2010 data....
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Anhedonia may play individual role in Alzheimer's challenges
Major finding: Working memory was worse in patients with only anhedonia vs. those with only depression (mean scores of 3.7 vs.